Why it matters.
Young people are most of Ethiopia’s population, yet they are rarely in the rooms where local plans and budgets are made.
Woreda plans decide where schools, clinics and water points go. Young people seldom have a say in them, and few have the information or training to follow how public money is spent.
Young women face added barriers to public roles, from family expectations to a lack of safe spaces to meet, speak and organize.
Women in conversation at an outdoor community session.
What it does.
Hiigsi Leaders will build young leaders and give them a recognized voice in local decisions.
Dialogue circles
Women’s dialogue circles where young women meet, speak and organize in safe spaces.
Fellowships
Leadership fellowships that build skills, confidence and networks.
Budget tracking
Training in reading and following public budgets and local plans.
Youth councils
Woreda youth councils that local administrations consult on their plans.
Who it is for.
Young women and men ready to lead in their communities, with young women at the centre of the programme. We work with woreda administrations, elders and women’s groups, not around them.
Every programme carries our commitments: gender equality, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, a climate lens and digital-first delivery.
Where it starts.
Hiigsi Leaders grows from our peacebuilding fellowship, our regional network of peacebuilding actors and the CAYO Award.
Peace Ambassadors Fellowship Program
Built leadership, dialogue, conflict prevention and social cohesion skills in young people.
Partner U-Report Ethiopia · Implementer CAYO
Somali Region Peacebuilding Actors Network (SR-PAN)
Brings peacebuilding actors together for coordination, knowledge exchange and joint advocacy.
CAYO Award
Recognizes young people in Somali Regional State for leadership, commitment and social impact, every year since 2023.
How we will measure.
We will measure influence: whether young people’s views change local plans.
Councils consulted
Woreda youth councils that local administrations consult on their plans.
Young women leading
Young women completing fellowships and taking up leadership roles.
Shared with government
Results reported to the relevant regional bureaus and woreda offices.
One participant record
With consent, a record that follows each leader from a dialogue circle to a council seat.
Where this leads next.
Our programmes are built to connect, so that a young person can move from one to the next without starting over.
Nabad Generation
Young people at the table where peace is kept, working alongside the elders who keep it.
Read more
Ilays Learning
A second chance at learning, and a recognized certificate, for every young person out of school.
Read more
Civil Society and Protection
Local organizations, especially those led by youth and women, strong enough to protect the people they serve.
Read moreFrom our work.
Leadership deserves to be seen
Every year since 2023, the CAYO Award has honoured young people in Somali Regional State for leadership, commitment and social impact.
Peace is a skill, and it can be learned
The Peace Ambassadors Fellowship, run by CAYO with U-Report Ethiopia, built leadership, dialogue, conflict prevention and social cohesion skills in young people.
Partner on Hiigsi Leaders.
Fund fellowships and women’s dialogue circles, or work with us and local administrations to open woreda planning to young people.